Police say a man attempting to break up a fight was stabbed and killed in Phoenix on Sunday night.
Phoenix police were called to a home near 39th and Dunlap avenues in response to a stabbing call where they found 40-year-old James Edwards critically wounded.
Police say Edwards was attempting to break up a fight between 39-year-old Lonnie Kampe and a family member when Kampe stabbed Edwards.
Edwards was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
"He was always there for everyone in the whole world," said Chris McClaran.
McClaran's tough exterior, reduced to tears, when he says the world will never be the same without his friend James Edwards.
"He was a devoted father, he did everything for his kids, he was the best friend anyone could have hands down," said McClaran.
The 34-year-old father of three was loading his truck to go fishing Sunday night when he saw something he couldn't stand for.
"A couple from across the street comes out, they're arguing, of course that gets Edwards' attention, he's paying attention to what's going on, he sees the male strike the female," said McClaran.
And while Edwards didn't know the couple, doing nothing was not an option.
"With James, there's no way he's gonna hop in his truck and drive away and ignore it and pretend it didn't happen, he's going to say something," said McClaran.
Police say that's what he did, approaching this man, Lonnie Kampe, a man with a criminal past than included felony charges of assault, and burglary, and demanded him to stop.
"They start yelling at each other back and forth, they start walking towards each other and meet in the street, pushing match ensues and James obviously didn't see the knife come out," said McClaran.
Seconds later James' was on the ground, the local mechanic and Washington High graduate wouldn't survive long enough to make it to the hospital.
His youngest daughter who lost her mother to kidney failure just a few years earlier, now facing another tragedy, his son with autism, asking one question.
"Always saying dad, dad, I want dad all the time, what do you do," said McClaran.
But tonight, his family says Edwards died just how he'll be remembered, choosing right over wrong, good over evil, giving his life for someone else.
The family has setup an account to help with funeral expenses. You can donate here.
